by John Manzi for the American Harness Drivers Club
Freehold, NJ—Even money favorites prevailed in the
two $9000 American Harness Drivers Club trots at Freehold Raceway today (May
29). Tony Beltrami won his division with Keystone Orion in 2:00.4 and Bob
Hechkoff scored with Southern Frost in 2:00.3 in the other. Both events were
contested over a sloppy race track and both winners went wire to wire in their
respective splits.
Keystone Orion set sails from the two-hole and
Beltrami had him well in command the entire mile.
With no challenges Keystone Orion breezed by the
quarter in :29.3. Chip Allen and Swipe Right were the first to move as the
field headed for the half. At that point Keystone Orion rebuffed all challenges
and led the field by the half in 1:00.4. And was well in command as they
trotted by the three quarters in 1:30.4. Although Swipe Right moved out to
challenge the leader Keystone Orion put it in another gear and opened daylight
and cruised home a two-length winner. Presidente Zette took home the show dough
for Joe Faraldo.
The winner, a 12 year old Angus Hall gelding, is
owned by Fabiola Ouevedo and trained by Edwin Ouevedo. He paid $4.00 for win.
In the second division Southwind Frost proved too
much for his competition after Hechkoff sent him to the lead and forced a
challenging Fiji (Dave Offenberg) to find a seat before the :29.1 first
quarter.
Once in complete control Hechkoff and his charge
cruised by the half in 1:00.3 and they were still alone as they trotted by the
three quarters in 1:30.4. Heading for home only the margin of victory was in
doubt and when Southwind Frost crossed the finish line he was a 2-3/4 length
winner. Fiji followed the leader home for the place money while Dawn Anderson
hustled Take A Wish home for the show dough.
Southwind Frost is owned by Hechkoff's R.B.H.
Ventures and trained by Vincent Stallworth. He returned a $4.00 win mutuel.
